How to calculate your carbon footprint -- and why you should care
Think about all the food you eat in a day. Some people track their calories, which measure the energy you’re getting from the things you consume. A lot of adults likely know a rough daily estimate of what they eat, in terms of calories. But what about your carbon footprint? Do you know what your number is?
This deadly disease thrives in warmer waters, creating an uncertain future for marine life
A deadly disease is thriving in warmer waters, creating an uncertain future for the Florida coast. Now, the government is putting aside differences to effect change. Volunteers are making a huge impact, as well.
Want to be a ‘street scientist?’ Volunteering might be easier than you think
Environmental groups in cities are often looking for volunteers, which also can be known as “street scientists,” to collect data that can help a city deal with urban heat islands, and such data is easier than you think to collect.
How environmentally friendly are you? Take these quick polls to help determine exactly that
When it comes to climate change and environmental issues, it might feel like a lot to wrap your head around: The problems are so widespread and complex -- so if you’ve ever thought to yourself, “What can one person even DO?”, you’re likely not alone.
Forecasting Change: 90 degree temperatures arriving earlier
There are 4 consecutive days in the 7-day planning forecast that have daytime highs of 90 degrees or higher. The graphic below from Climate Central shows that Orlando should not supposed to be this hot this soon. First 90 degree day coming earlier. Over the past 50 years, the first 90-degree readings have happened somewhere within the second or third week of April to the end of March or early April. This next graphic shows that summer is extending its reach by starting earlier and ending later.
Forecasting Change: Why it’s getting more dangerous for seniors along the coast
(AP Photo/Ellis Rua, File)ORLANDO, Fla. – This week Forecasting Change will focus on our senior population and the threat they are facing from rising sea levels. Consider the fact that in Hurricane Katrina 70% of the deaths were seniors, even though they represented only 15% of the population. Increasing flood riskNow to be clear, Climate Change and sea level rise are a threat to us all. But much like the elderly are more likely to die from COVID-19 they are also the most vulnerable to bad weather events. If they live in an area that is endangered by rising water, evacuation and shelter are also huge threats to their lives.
Pollen season has grown longer, more severe over past 30 years
ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida’s pollen season has kicked into high gear this year, with the return of spring-like temperatures. This then would mean temperatures strongly influence not only the length of pollen season, but also its intensity. Studying their 60 pollen reporting stations across the country, the pollen season has become 20 days longer compared to what it was 1990. Because pollen concentrations are highly sensitive to temperature and carbon dioxide, this study found that human-caused climate change was responsible for at least half of the additional days of pollen season. These findings concern doctors, as these drastic changes to our pollen season across the country could impact many who suffer from asthma and allergies.
Forecasting Change: Is a real or fake tree better for the environment?
In this week’s Forecasting Change I want to show you the energy numbers of real vs. fake Christmas trees. Also, it is much better for the energy consumption if you use LED lights. LED holiday lights are 90% more efficient than older incandescent versions, with one-fifth the carbon footprint of traditional lights. Carbon footprints or real vs fake trees. If you do use a real tree, consider mulching it instead of letting it go to a landfill.
A look at what made the 2020 Hurricane Season so active
This week in Forecasting Change I want to say goodbye to the 2020 Hurricane Season. Check out the graphic below:The rapid intensification of tropical storms is what can make them deadly hurricanes. (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.) (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)
How the Orlando Utilities Commission is trying to end coal-fired generation
“You really have to pair battery storage, we call it energy storage, with solar,” Ferrone explained. Ferrone said there is a lot of technology involved with solar energy and it continues to change. If you would like to know more about how OUC plans to achieve Net Zero CO2 Emissions by 2050, use the links below download this week’s episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate. Each week they have a guest host who helps give an irreverent look at the issues impacting the Sunshine State. Listen to the full episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate on iTunes here or on Sticher here.
Here’s why these wax figures were left to melt away in the Florida sun
ORLANDO, Fla. – A new exhibit left outside Orlando City Hall on Thursday is melting away under the Central Florida sun to raise awareness about climate change. “Melting Florida” is a statewide campaign designed by the CLEO Institute, which calls itself a nonpartisan organization dedicated to climate change education. “Rising temperatures and the climate crisis are impacting our way of life,” said Executive Director Yoca Arditi-Rocha. Previous exhibits in Miami and Tampa have brought awareness to how climate change affects weather and Florida’s wildlife. At Orlando’s exhibit, people are encouraged to take pictures with the figures and use a nearby QR code to learn more about steps to combat the impacts of climate change.
Florida birds at risk of extinction due to climate change, study says
“Here comes a nice spoonbill coming along,” Jeff Gordon said. “Florida is low-lying and has lots of water,” Jeff Gordon said. According to a study by the Audubon Society, two-thirds of the birds in North America are at risk of extinction over the next 30 years due to what they called a “global temperature rise.”The Audubon Society's study predicts two-thirds of North American birds are at risk of extinction due to climate change. “I do see a difference in the amount of birds,” Jeff Gordon said. “Things are definitely changing, and it’s like we’re rolling some pretty big dice,” Jeff Gordon said.
Dune restoration to protect launch operations at Kennedy Space Center from rising sea levels
Don Dankert, with KSC’s environmental planning office, says this three-mile restoration project should be finished this year. The work follows the 2016 and 2017 hurricanes and NASA said if rising sea levels damage the beach in the future, it would rebuild the dunes again. Senior Project Manager Keith Britton, also a member of the Oviedo City Council, called preparing for rising sea levels, “a long-term approach.”Britton said the good news is if sea levels rise here an estimated three-feet over the next 60 or 70 years, KSC's buildings would still not be flooded out. “The bottom line is we’re not really threatened at this time but now’s the time we’re going to start looking at how to mitigate sea-level rise when it does occur,” Britton said. NASA said in the last 100 years, the average global sea-level rise is seven inches.